Do i really need a colonoscopy?

Age: When either 45 or 50 yrs old or of bleeding or other symptoms also pending family history.

At 42 : The only reasons to have a colonoscopy are if you are having symptoms that could be related to your colon such as bleeding without an obvious source or if you have a personal history of colitis or polyps or a family history of polyps or colon cancer.

Screen v diagnostic: Colonoscopy to screen for colon cancer is recommended to be done at age 50. If the results are normal than it is repeated in 10 years. If anything is found your doctoral recommend a repeat scope usually in 3-5 years depending in the finding. Patients with a family history of colon cancer should have one 10 years before the youngest relative had colon ca. Father has dx at 53, test done at age 43.